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The untamed wilderness landscapes of Chile, from the primeval deserts of Atacama through the ancient forest of the lake district and the glaciers of Patagonia, were for long virtually inaccessible to leisure visitors. Roads were rough, passing through fords and over primitive bridges, and accommodation limited to humble guest-houses. Nowadays that has changed – roads are still often lonely, cutting through swathes of barren rock, tight valleys or steppe, but many are paved: journey times have been slashed. Entrepreneurs have as a result been inspired to establish hotels, lodges and resorts of all standards - not so many as to compromise the feeling of remoteness, but giving you the option of discovering this incrediblescenery from luxurious accommodation, with highly trained English-speaking guides and gourmet cuisine.

Luxury Chile: Exclusive lodges and untamed landscapes

Santiago and the vineyards

With a backdrop of snow-draped Andean peaks in a sunny fertile valley, Chile’s huge capital lies at the heart of the country. A multi-layered place of contrasting neighbourhoods it is worth getting to know.

There’s a tiny colonial heart which displays an often poignant history, offset by the glittering malls, skyscrapers and shady boulevards of a modern economy. Interspersed are European-style centres for shopping and eating out such as Italianate Bellavista and newly vibrant, villagey localities among which is trendy Lastarría. The surrounding Mediterranean landscape is the perfect setting for vineyards and wineries producing Chile’s well respected wines.

When's the best time to visit Santiago and the vineyards?

Santiago has a hot dry summer and cool winters with some rain and even snow. Spring and autumn (Sep-Oct and Apr-May) are pleasant times for a city visit. The vineyards are at their prettiest in spring (Sep-Oct) but a visit may be most interesting at harvest time (Mar-Apr).

What is the official language in Santiago and the vineyards?

Spanish.

How can I get local currency in Santiago and the vineyards?

Chilean Peso. Notes can be withdrawn from the many ATMs using a UK credit or debit card. Limits may be lower than your UK bank allows. There are also many banks and money exchanges (casas de cambio) where you can exchange US dollars cash; rates for euros and sterling are harder to find and frequently poor.

What's the time difference between Santiago and the vineyards and UK?

GMT -4 hours. Sometimes daylight saving is observed in the summer, from Sep/Oct to early Mar.

Torres del Paine National Park

Torres del Paine National Park in southern Patagonia is the pinnacle of Chile’s natural landscapes, fast becoming one of the world’s most popular places for walking holidays. Cuernos del Paine is a granite massif which has been sliced apart into needle-sharp spires by glaciers. Beyond are the vertical triple towers of the Torres del Paine. Wind-battered grasslands lead up to sheltered glacial valleys with flowery meadows; torrential rivers surging with ice are interlaced with glassy lagoons. Wildlife abounds everywhere, from geese to guanaco; condors and puma may be spotted, especially in the low winter season from April to October.

When's the best time to visit Torres del Paine NP?

The best months for hiking are Mar-Apr. Many hikers also visit in summer (Dec - Jan) along with non-trekkers so it can be very busy at that time. Days are long and mild then but it can be windy, as in spring (Sep - Oct). For non-hikers, a visit at any time is recommended outside the winter months Jun - Aug when it can be very cold and access routes can be blocked by snow. On the other hand, it is frequently less windy in winter and you have a better chance of spotting wildlife as there are few tourists around. Many facilities are closed then; however, each year, a few more stay open to cater for this off-season traffic.

What's the official language in Torres del Paine NP?

How canI get local currency in Torres del Paine NP?

What's the time difference between Torres del Paine NP and UK?

GMT -4 hours. Sometimes daylight saving is observed in the summer.

What other places combine with Torres del Paine NP?

Puerto Natales, picturesquely located town on Last Hope Sound which still has a frontier feel, famous for its black-necked swans, 3 hours by road; El Calafate in the Parque Nacional de los Glaciares, Argentina (to visit the Perito Moreno glacier), 425km (7 hours scenic drive); the Aisén Region, a wilderness of little-visited forests and rivers north of the park, 4.5 hours drive to Punta Arenas then 1.5 hours by air the Chilean lake district (2 hours away by air from Punta Arenas).

How do I get to Torres del Paine NP?

Daily flights from Santiago take 3 hours 50mins to Punta Arenas, thence it is 3-5 hours by road to Torres del Paine.

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Atacama Desert

The Atacama’s inhospitable desert landscape is harsh and rugged, but it isn't an empty wasteland. Volcanoes and geysers steam and hiss into life. Pink flamingos haunt the featureless white salt flats, cacti stride towards the horizon and oases splash the tawny landscape with vigorous vegetation, especially after rare flash rainfall. The culture and settlements echo with the legacy of the desert’s pre- and post- Columbian inhabitants, with ruined temples and dusty colonial villages. There are some top quality hotels and the area is becoming a favourite for adventure activities such as volcano climbing and horse riding. If coming from Santiago or Patagonia, you may notice the high altitude as you explore the Atacama: however, all hotels are in San Pedro - at a comfortable 2,450m.

When's the best time to go to Atacama Desert?

San Pedro de Atacama is all-year destination, although its climate is influenced by the Bolivian Andes. Occasional strong rains in Jan-Feb can close visitor sites for a few days and, between Jun-Sep, snow can hinder the high-altitude crossings into Bolivia and Argentina. For almost all of the year, the sun shines and the night skies can be spectacular.

What's the official language of Atacama Desert?

Spanish.

How do I get local currency in Atacama Desert?

Chilean Peso. Bring your local currency needs from a larger town, where notes can be withdrawn from the many ATMs using a UK credit or debit card. Limits may be lower than your UK bank allows.

What's the time difference between Atacama Desert and UK?

GMT -4 hours. Sometimes daylight saving is observed in the summer, from Sep/Oct to early Mar.

What places combines well with Atacama Desert?

The Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, usually visited on a 3-day package by 4WD; La Serena and the Elqui Valley, 1.5 hours by air from Calama, a hour drive from San Pedro; Lauca National Park near the northern border, 800 km.

How do I getting to Atacama Desert?

Fly from Santiago to Calama (2 hours) then it’s a 2 hour road journey (104 km) to San Pedro.

What are the festivals and cultural events in Atacama Desert?

The feast day of Saints Peter and Paul: 24 Jun. The entire village of San Pedro joins in the celebrations with processions.

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Chilean Lake District (north)

It seems that each of the royal blue lakes in this region of chocolate-box prettiness is overlooked by its own snow-dipped volcano. On the lake shores are resort towns with an Alpine flavour and traditional villages of neat wooden cottages. The region is carpeted with pine forests and studded with youthful streams.

The north is dominated by the snowy peak of the volcano Villarrica towering over the lake of the same name. Pucón is a lively outdoor lakeside resort, a base for adventure activities. To the south there is a necklet of seven exquisite, sinuous lakes reached by a network of scenic roads. To the west, the watery river port Valdivia sits at the confluence of three rivers which debouch into the Pacific half way between Temuco and Puerto Montt. Oft isolated by geography, conflict and earthquakes, its hinterland is still best explored by boat. A lively university city, it has a multitude of cultural events celebrating its diversity.

When's the best time to go to Chile north Lake District?

The northern lake district has a temperate climate, with plenty of warm sun but also showers in summer, while winters can be cool and very rainy. Dec-Mar is very crowded with local holiday-makers. If you prefer a less lively atmosphere, spring and autumn (Mar-Apr, Oct-Nov) are good choices.

What's the official language of Chile north Lake District?

Spanish.

How do I get local currency in Chile north Lake District?

Chilean Peso. Notes can be withdrawn from ATMs in Pucón and Villarrica using a UK credit or debit card. Limits may be lower than your UK bank allows. There are also many banks and money exchanges (casas de cambio) where you can exchange US dollars cash at a lower rate; rates for euros and sterling are harder to find and also frequently poor.

What's the time difference between Chile north Lake District and UK?

GMT -4 hours. Sometimes daylight saving is observed in the summer, from Sep - Oct to early Mar.

What places combine well with Chile north Lake District?

The southern lake district, centred on Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas, 322 km (5-6 hours by car); the Argentine lake district via the Lake Crossing from Bariloche in Argentina’s lake district to Puerto Varas; continue north by road.

How do I get to Chile north Lake District?

There are flights from Santiago to Temuco (75mins). Drive north from Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas in 5-6 hours (322 km).

What are the festivals, cultural and sport events in Chile north Lake District?

Festival Cultural Mapuche:Villarrica, mid Feb. This celebrates the culture of the indigenous Mapuche Indians. There are many other summer events in the city, including music, rodeos and regattas.

Things to do on this holiday

Historic Santiago walking tour

Explore the Valley of the Moon

View erupting Atacaman geysers

See flamingos in the salt flats

Hike in a monkey puzzle forest

Soak in a Chilean hot spring

Boat Trip to Glacier Grey

Day walks in Torres del Paine National Park

The current capital of Chile was born where a Spanish conquistador founded the settlement of Santiago de Nueva Extremadura in 1541 – laying the foundations for its eventual evolution into the present-day metropolis of 5 million people.

Explore the main square and the cathedral, neatly juxtaposed with the glass frontages of skyscrapers and visit the government palace La Moneda. Alongside its earlier history, you’ll become aware of the violent coup that emanated from here in 1973, installing the brutal military regime of General Pinochet.

The National Historic Museum is worth a look as are two of Santiago’s oldest and most stately neighbourhoods, Republica and Concha y Toro.

Imagine haunting primeval landscapes ablaze in the amber glow of a desert sunset… you’ll see the Atacama desert’s most sublime views during this experience, likely to be one of the ultimate highlights of your holiday.

It's best to set off in the late afternoon when the light is best for photography, casting a golden tone over the otherworldly terrain. Visit to the Valley of the Moon, which will leave you in no doubt as to the origin of its name: this is well and truly a lunar – if not Martian – landscape at 2,500m above sea level. You may explore its wind-eroded tunnels and caverns on foot; we recommend climbing the tallest dune to see the valley at the height of its magic, painted in the fiery tones of the sunset.

There are a number of different options you may experience on this trip, including the possibility of visiting the Valle de la Muerte, or Death Valley, where astonishing prongs of sheer, burnt orange rock rise up out of the sand in rippling waves.

Gurgling and steaming at over 4,300m above sea level, the little blow holes of El Tatio reveal their agitation as dawn’s vibrant colours begin to sweep across the sky. Geothermal activity is at its peak here at sunrise, so it’s an early start to reach the geyser field in time to see nature put on its spectacular show.

Adding to what is already an otherworldly scene in the desolate high plains of the Atacama desert, huge jets of steam and water begin to erupt from the earth, backlit against the newly risen sun. This is one of the world’s largest geyser fields and the sight of several jets spouting at once makes this a very special experience.

It’s a rewarding trip from San Pedro de Atacama out into the salt flats where flamingos lend a sprinkle of pink to an already colourful scene. On the way we’ll take you to Toconao (altitude 2,600m) and typical of the area’s small oasis villages with its whitewashed bell tower and adobe homes. Nearby, the verdant Jerez valley stands out in sharp contrast with the surrounding desert.

Arriving into the salar, an arresting backdrop of orange and purple-hued mountains surmounts the habitat of huge flocks of wild flamingos. On our full-day tour you will also visit the high-altitude lagoons of Minique and Miscanti (altitude 4,120m) with their vivid blue and turquoise waters.

The lushly forested slopes of Huerquehue National Park are an inviting setting for a day’s hiking. Starting amidst tranquil lakes, you’ll climb through Valdivian rainforest, full of monkey puzzle and the distinctive Araucaria tree with its whorl of needle-like leaves sweeping horizontally out from a towering trunk. Occasional glimpses of Villarrica volcano through the openings in the foliage, or in the mirrored surface of a lake, give a foretaste of the awe-inspiring vistas you’ll enjoy at the top.

After a day’s hiking or sightseeing in the cool climes of the Chilean lake district, there’s no better way to unwind than with a dip in the naturally warm thermal waters of one of the area’s hot springs.

Hidden deep in native forests, these pools bubble and steam invitingly within an enchanted setting. The Geometric hot springs are perhaps our favourite, with a chain of cinnamon-brown walkways etching striking patterns across the lush surroundings as streams cascade in between the natural pools.

One of the best ways to see Torres del Paine National Park is by boat, and this justly popular journey to the awe-inspiring Grey Glacier shows why.

The boat will navigate a course through the vivid blue icebergs that crowd Lago Grey before taking you right up to the face of the enormous glacier. Reminiscent of Argentina's famous Perito Moreno, this is a monumental ice field extending almost as far as the eye can see and fronted by a cracking, calving wall of azure pinnacles.

Torres del Paine National Park is a trekkers' paradise, offering up an endless array of Patagonian scenery that will leave you speechless with wonder and awe. In just a single day, you can delve deep into its wild reaches and gaze upon some of the park's most beautiful and iconic natural landmarks.

One such trek is to the base of the Torres del Paine massif, with its crown of monumental spikes thrusting skyward. This is the centrepiece of the park and the close-up view you can gain on foot more than merits the steep climb.

For a more panoramic perspective, the trek to the French Valley skirts glassy lagoons with the Cuernos del Paine rising up over the horizon to arrive at an extraordinary amphitheatre of vertical peaks. You can also trek to the enormous Grey glacier within a day, passing glassy lagoons, sheltered glacial valleys and wild flower meadows.

Accommodation on this holiday

The Ritz-Carlton

Awasi Atacama

Vira Vira Hacienda Hotel

Awasi Patagonia

The Ritz Carlton is an unashamedly luxurious property in one of the capital's classiest residential and entertainment neighbourhoods, Las Condes, with views of the snow-smothered Andes. From the door of the hotel you can easily stroll to exclusive shopping boutiques and restaurants, and there’s a bubbling nightlife within reach.

The property itself has a sumptuous and aristocratic ambiance. The opulent areas are adorned with leather armchairs, dark oak furniture and antiques, and English tea is served daily in the lounge. The imposing building is crowned with a glass dome housing a gorgeous indoor pool and Jacuzzi. The classic décor and furnishings of the guest rooms feature a combination of earth tones and gold, accentuating the regal feel. Other top of the range facilities include a spa, gym, ballroom and if you fancy eating or drinking on the premises you can visit the pisco bar, café, and contemporary restaurant which offers fine farm-to-table dining.

Combine explorations of the wild and wonderful Atacama desert with a pampered stay at the tiny, exclusive boutique hotel Awasi, conceived and built in harmony with the natural environment. This is a rare place where couples seeking peace and quiet can stay side by side with families, such is the feeling of space and privacy within the property, and the imaginative range of excursions and activities. The property is listed in the prestigious Relais & Chateaux portfolio.

This gorgeous little boutique hotel takes its inspiration from traditional atacameño homes and the desert surroundings. There are just eight round, thatched cottages built from local stone, wood and adobe, softened by cosy furnishings and fabrics in a harmonious mélange of both earthy and bright colours.

The idea is to provide a very private and intimate experience for guests, with a genuine feeling of luxury. The large rooms all have a private patio, a sofa for lounging about and reading, and both indoor and outdoor showers.

The relaxation area around the small heated pool is especially attractive – it might be hard to drag yourself away to take advantage of the many excursions on offer, from visits to geysers, hot springs and shimmering salt flats to guided hikes, bike rides and horse riding. Younger family members will probably be off exploring, leaving adults with time to unwind. Programmes designed for children include cookery and craft classes, sand-boarding on the dunes and visits to cactus forests and lagoons to learn about the desert environment and spot llamas and flamingos.

Enjoying an idyllic setting, within earshot of the Liucura River and in the shadow of Villarrica volcano, Vira Vira Hacienda Hotel is the quintessential lake district retreat. A cheese and dairy farm, the hacienda grows its own produce which features in its day-to-day menus. As well as fellow guests you may encounter ponies, sheep, ducks and geese as you explore its lushly forested grounds. The property is listed in the prestigious Relais & Chateaux portfolio.

There’s a choice of accommodation available: rooms within the main house are compact, cosy and comfortable, while within the grounds spacious suites with ample windows and a terrace or balcony facing the river or lagoon offer greater privacy and take full advantage of your romantic setting. Your hospitable hosts – also the owners - are keen to ensure you get the most out of this beautiful part of the Chilean lake district, offering a carefully crafted programme of excursions and activities.

This luxurious, state-of-the-art Relais & Chateau-listed lodge is on a private reserve overlooking Torres del Paine National Park where you’ll encounter the primeval landscapes of Chilean Patagonia: sun-spangled blue and green lakes, glacier-jacketed mountains, wind-twisted trees and yawning expanses of open grasslands, all visited by hardy wildlife. The property is listed in the prestigious Relais & Chateaux portfolio.

The property’s simple, contemporary design was nonetheless inspired by traditional Patagonian shelters and ranching outposts, with many features created from local wood. Inside, you’ll find warm, earthy colours and fabrics and high-end facilities creating a really cosy place in which to relax after a day out in the wild. You stay in one of a dozen sumptuous free-standing villas from which you set out to explore the wilderness on foot, by bike, on horseback or on foot, cared for by watchful guides.

There’s nothing plain about the food: the top-quality cuisine is sophisticated and beautifully presented. Service all round is highly individual and exclusive – with the help of the obliging staff you’ll plan your experiences according to your own tastes and preferences. Each villa has its own guide and 4WD vehicle, so it really is up to you.

Speak to an expert Travel Consultant or send us your enquiry today.

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Luxury Chile: Exclusive lodges and untamed landscapes

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Our specialists have been expertly crafting award-winning tailor-made holidays to Latin America for over 37 years.

We would be delighted to create a truly personalised trip which perfectly matches your wishes and requirements.